Niël Terblanché
A Brazilian business delegation recently visited the Erongo region to foster bilateral cooperation and accelerate economic growth through their expertise in sectors such as mining, tourism, and emerging Green Hydrogen industries.
The discussions covered a variety of topics, from mining operations to renewable energy prospects.
Neville André, the Governor of the Erongo Region informed the visiting delegation about the transformative potential of Green Hydrogen Industries in the region.
He revealed that with six planned Green Hydrogen plants, there is a need for specialized knowledge to scale these initiatives.
“These plants are here to provide opportunities in the region, and we look forward to growth driven by external expertise,” André said.
He stressed the importance of value addition, particularly in the mining sector, which is a stronghold of the Erongo economy.
According to Andre, with increasing uranium prices and mining operations resuming full production after approximately seven years of care and maintenance, there is a revived optimism in the sector.
“We are also looking to expand into salt mining and processing, aiming to enhance market engagement and growth,” he added.
The Brazilian delegation, led by consultant Ricardo Latkani and accompanied by the Brazilian Ambassador to Namibia, Vivian Loss Sanmartin, engaged in several key meetings throughout their week-long visit.
Sanmartin expressed enthusiasm about future prospects, highlighting the potential for Namibia’s economy to double in size in the coming years due to new industries like Green Hydrogen.
“Namibia offers a stable and favourable business environment, yet remains relatively untapped in the Brazilian market. We must bridge this gap for mutual economic benefits,” she said.
The Brazilian Ambassador extended an invitation to André to visit Brazil so he will be able to deepen his understanding of how Brazilian industrial strategies could be adapted to benefit Namibia.
She said that with potential economic collaboration, the emphasis remains on practical and sustainable development that benefits both nations.
“With continued dialogue and shared expertise, the path to enhanced economic growth and industrialization in Namibia becomes even more achievable,” she said.
The visit also included a series of strategic meetings, including discussions with Namibia’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Lucia Iipumbu, and Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
